Meet Izzy Roose
For Izzy Roose, food is more than a meal, it's a way to bring people together. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, who describe her as someone with a contagious smile and infectious laugh. A former high school wrestler and track athlete, Izzy brings the same determination, discipline, and strong work ethic to the kitchen that she developed through athletics.
Originally from Haiti, Izzy moved to the United States at the age of 11. While she has embraced many new experiences, her Haitian heritage remains at the heart of her love for cooking. Many of her favorite memories are centered around the traditional dishes she grew up sharing with family, and those flavors continue to inspire her today.
Izzy's culinary journey began during her junior year of high school through the WorkSMART Connector program. Through hands-on apprenticeships at The Cottages, Central College Catering, Liberty Street Kitchen, Country Inn & Suites, and Ulrich Meat Market, she gained experience in a variety of culinary settings, from large-scale catering and scratch cooking to nutritional planning and specialty food preparation. Along the way, she completed her coursework, apprenticeship hours, and skill development while building confidence, creativity, and versatility in the kitchen.
Her Taste of Haiti capstone brings together the knowledge and experience she has gained throughout the program with the recipes and traditions that have shaped her personally. As the final step toward earning her Hospitality certificate, Izzy is excited to share one of her favorite family recipes, Haitian spaghetti, during her apprenticeship evening on September 8 at Pella High School. She hopes guests leave not only with full stomachs, but with a greater appreciation for the rich flavors, culture, and hospitality of Haiti.